US7096232B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Calendar-enhanced directory searches including dynamic contact information
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 2001-06-06
•
Granted: 2006-08-22
•
Expires: 2021-06-06
Abstract
Abstract A method, system, and product are disclosed for displaying directory information and dynamically updated contact information for one or more people in response to a directory search. A user submits a query criteria when the directory search is requested. A search of the directory information is first executed utilizing the query criteria to return a first result set. A search of dynamically updated contact information is then executed using the first result set to produce a second result set. A final result of the directory search request is then produced by coalescing the first and second result sets. This final result includes both directory information and dynamically updated contact information for each person whose name was included in the final result.
Inventors
- 👤 J. Smith Doss
- 👤 Renee Marie Kovales
- 👤 Diane Phylis Pozefsky
- 👤 Robert Joseph Sundstrom
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 21:05
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/487; H04M3/493; H04M3/4931; G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10; G06Q10/109; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99933; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99944; Y10S707/99945; Y10S707/99948
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 72
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A method in a computer system for providing contact information in response to a directory search, said method comprising: receiving a user request to execute a directory search; receiving a query criteria; executing a search of a directory database in response to said user request, said search utilizing said query criteria to produce a first result comprising a null set or directory information corresponding to at least one entity, wherein said directory database comprises static information and does not comprise dynamically updated contact information; invoking a dynamic contact information service utilizing at least one of said first result and said query criteria to produce a second result comprising dynamic contact information; and coalescing said first and second results to produce a coalesced result.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
123 words
A method in a computer system for providing contact information in response to a directory search, said method comprising: receiving a user request to execute a directory search; receiving a query criteria; executing a search of a directory database in response to said user request, said search utilizing said query criteria to produce a first result comprising a null set or directory information corresponding to at least one entity, wherein said directory database comprises static information and does not comprise dynamically updated contact information; invoking a dynamic contact information service utilizing at least one of said first result and said query criteria to produce a second result comprising dynamic contact information; and coalescing said first and second results to produce a coalesced result.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said query criteria is specified by said user when requesting said directory search.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said query criteria is generated by a routine and is submitted for use in said directory search.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said query criteria is generated by selecting said criteria from at least one source of information.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method according to claim 1 , further comprising: determining whether said first result comprises said null set; invoking said dynamic contact information service to produce said second result utilizing said query criteria if said first result comprises said null set; and invoking said dynamic contact information service to produce said second result utilizing said at least one entity of said first result if said first result is not said null set.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
136 words
The method according to claim 1 , further comprising: determining whether said first result comprises said null set; invoking said dynamic contact information service to produce said second result utilizing said at least one entity of said first result if said first result is not said null set; determining whether said query criteria is valid for submission to said dynamic contact information service if said first result comprises said null set; invoking said dynamic contact information service to produce said second result utilizing said query criteria if said first result comprises said null set and said query criteria is valid for submission to said dynamic contact information service; and returning no search results if said first result comprises said null set and said query criteria is not valid for submission to said dynamic contact information service.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said dynamic contact service produces said second result at least by searching a dynamic content database for dynamically updated information.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said dynamic contact service produces said second result at least by dynamically determining contact information in response to each search request.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 1 , further comprising using said coalesced result as an input into another application.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method according to claim 1 , further comprising: specifying display preferences that describe which directory database and dynamic contact information will be displayed for each executed search; and displaying said coalesced result based upon said display preferences.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said display preferences comprise: specifying whether to have displayed at least a part of only said dynamic contact information, at least a part of only said directory information, or at least parts of a combination of both directory and dynamic contact information for each executed search.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 1 , further comprising: specifying sort preferences that describe bow said coalesced results are to be sorted for each executed search; and displaying said coalesced result based upon said sort preferences.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method according to claim 12 , wherein said sort preferences comprise availability; and displaying said coalesced data comprises displaying names where a first displayed name is available earlier than a remainder of people whose names are displayed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 1 , further comprising: specifying filtering preferences; and filtering said coalesced result using said filtering preferences to produce a filtered result and displaying said filtered result.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 14 , wherein filtering said coalesced result using said filtering preferences comprises filtering said coalesced results based upon availability by a user-specified method of contact within a predetermined period of time.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 14 , wherein filtering said coalesced result using said filtering preferences comprises filtering said coalesced results based upon availability by a user-specified type of contact within a predetermined period of time.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 14 , wherein filtering said coalesced result using said filtering preferences comprises filtering said coalesced results based upon availability for an in-entity meeting within a particular period of time.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method according to claim 14 , wherein filtering said coalesced result using said filtering preferences comprises filtering said coalesced results based upon availability to check at least one of an e-mail account, an instant message, a telephone call and a page within a particular period of time.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 1 , further comprising including within said coalesced result, an indication of an alternate contact entity for each entity whose information was returned as part of said coalesced result.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method according to claim 1 , further comprising including within said coalesced result, an indication of a physical location where each entity whose information was returned as part of said coalesced result can be reached during a particular period of time.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method according to claim 1 , further comprising including for each entity whose information was returned as part of said coalesced result, an indication of a means for contact where said entity will be available during a particular period of time.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 1 , further comprising including for each entity whose information was returned as part of said coalesced result, an indication of whether an identified means of being contacted is currently being utilized.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 1 , further comprising including for each entity whose information was returned as part of said coalesced result, an indication of a best means of contact.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
178 words
A computer program product in a computer system for providing contact information in response to a directory search, said computer program product comprising: a computer readable medium comprising recordable-type media having computer readable program code embodied therein, the computer readable medium comprising: computer readable program code configured to receive a request by a user to execute a directory search; computer readable program code configured to receive a query criteria; computer readable program code configured to execute a search of a directory database in response to said user request, said search utilizing said query criteria to produce a first result comprising a null set or directory information corresponding to at least one entity, wherein said directory database comprises static information and does not comprise dynamically updated contact information; computer readable program code configured to invoke a dynamic contact information service utilizing at least one of said first result and said query criteria to produce a second result comprising dynamic contact information; and computer readable program code configured to coalesce said first and second result to produce a coalesce result.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
178 words
A computer program product in a computer system for providing contact information in response to a directory search, said computer program product comprising: a computer readable medium comprising recordable-type media having computer readable program code embodied therein, the computer readable medium comprising: computer readable program code configured to receive a request by a user to execute a directory search; computer readable program code configured to receive a query criteria; computer readable program code configured to execute a search of a directory database in response to said user request, said search utilizing said query criteria to produce a first result comprising a null set or directory information corresponding to at least one entity, wherein said directory database comprises static information and does not comprise dynamically updated contact information; computer readable program code configured to invoke a dynamic contact information service utilizing at least one of said first result and said query criteria to produce a second result comprising dynamic contact information; and computer readable program code configured to coalesce said first and second result to produce a coalesce result.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The product according to claim 24 , wherein said query criteria is specified by said user when requesting said directory search.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
The product according to claim 24 , further comprising computer readable program code implementing a routine configured to generate said query criteria which is submitted for use in said directory search.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
The product according to claim 24 , wherein said query criteria is generated by selecting said criteria from at least one source of information.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
90 words
The product according to claim 24 , further comprising: computer readable program code configured to determine whether said first result comprises said null set; computer readable program code configured to invoke said dynamic contact information service to produce said second result utilizing said query criteria if said first result comprises said null set; and computer readable program code configured to invoke said dynamic contact information service to produce said second result utilizing said at least one entity of said first result if said first result is not said null set.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
166 words
The product according to claim 24 , further comprising: computer readable program code configured to determine whether said first result comprises said null set; computer readable program code configured to invoke said dynamic contact information service to produce said second result utilizing said at least one entity of said first result if said first result is not said null set; computer readable program code configured to determine whether said query criteria is valid for submission to said dynamic contact information service if said first result comprises said null set; computer readable program code configured to invoke said dynamic contact information service to produce said second result utilizing said query criteria if said first result comprises said null set and said query criteria is valid for submission to said dynamic contact information service; and computer readable program code configured to return no search results if said first result comprises said null set and said query criteria is not valid for submission to said dynamic contact information service.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
37 words
The product according to claim 24 , further comprising computer readable program code configured to cause said dynamic contact service to produce said second result at least by searching a dynamic content database for dynamically updated information.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
38 words
The product according to claim 24 , further comprising computer readable program code configured to cause said dynamic contact service to produce said second result at least by dynamically determining contact information in response to each search request.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
The product according to claim 24 , further comprising computer readable program code configured to input said coalesced result into another application.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
50 words
The product according to claim 24 , further comprising: computer readable program code configured to specify display preferences that describe which directory database and dynamic contact information will be displayed for each executed search; and computer readable program code configured to display said coalesced result based upon said display preferences.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
57 words
The product according to claim 24 ,wherein said display preferences comprise: computer readable program code configured to specify whether to have displayed only at least part of said dynamic contact information, only at least part of said directory information, or a combination of at least parts of both directory and dynamic contact information for each executed search.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
48 words
The product according to claim 24 , further comprising: computer readable program code configured to specify sort preferences that describe how said coalesced results are to be sorted for each executed search; and computer readable program code configured to display said coalesced result based upon said sort preferences.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
44 words
The product according to claim 35 , wherein said sort preferences comprise availability; and computer readable program code configured to display said coalesced data comprises displaying names where a first displayed name is available earlier than a remainder of people whose names are displayed.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
43 words
The product according to claim 24 , further comprising: computer readable program code configured to specify filtering preferences; and computer readable program code configured to filter said coalesced result using said filtering preferences to produce a filtered result and displaying said filtered result.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
59 words
The product according to claim 37 , wherein the computer readable program code configured to filter said coalesced result using said filtering preferences to produce a filtered result and displaying said filtered result comprises computer readable program code configured to filter said coalesced results based upon availability by a user-specified method of contact within a predetermined period of time.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
59 words
The product according to claim 37 , wherein the computer readable program code configured to filter said coalesced result using said filtering preferences to produce a filtered result and displaying said filtered result comprises computer readable program code configured to filter said coalesced results based upon availability by a user-specified type of contact within a predetermined period of time.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
57 words
The product according to claim 37 , wherein the computer readable program code configured to filter said coalesced result using said filtering preferences to produce a filtered result and displaying said filtered result comprises computer readable program code configured to filter said coalesced results based upon availability for an in-entity meeting within a particular period of time.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
71 words
The product according to claim 37 , wherein the computer readable program code configured to filter said coalesced result using said filtering preferences to produce a filtered result and displaying said filtered result comprises computer readable program code configured to filter said coalesced results based upon availability to check at least one of an e-mail account, an instant message, a telephone call and a page within a particular period of time.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
40 words
The product according to claim 24 , further comprising computer readable program code configured to include within said coalesced result, an indication of an alternate contact entity for each entity whose information was returned as part of said coalesced result.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
48 words
The product according to claim 24 , further comprising computer readable program code configured to include within said coalesced result an indication of a physical location where each entity whose information was returned as part of said coalesced result can be reached during a particular period of time.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
48 words
The product according to claim 24 , further comprising computer readable program code configured to include for each entity whose information was returned as part of said coalesced result, an indication of a means for contact where said entity will be available during a particular period of time.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
43 words
The product according to claim 24 , further comprising computer readable program code configured to include for each entity whose information was returned as part of said coalesced result, an indication of whether an identified means of being contacted is currently being utilized.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
37 words
The product according to claim 24 , further comprising computer readable program code configured to include for each entity whose information was returned as part of said coalesced result, an indication of a best means of contact.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
160 words
A computer system for providing contact information in response to a directory search, comprising: a memory; a processor connected to access said memory: a directory database stored in said memory, said directory database comprising static information and does not comprise dynamically updated contact information: program instructions stored in said memory and executed by said processor, said program instructions comprising: instructions for receiving a request by a user to execute said directory search; instructions for receiving a query criteria; instructions for executing a search of a directory database in response to said user request, said search utilizing said query criteria to produce a first result comprising a null set or directory information corresponding to at least one entity; instructions for invoking a dynamic contact information service utilizing at least one of said first result and said query criteria to produce a second result comprising dynamic contact information and; instructions for coalescing said first and second results to produce a coalesced result.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
160 words
A computer system for providing contact information in response to a directory search, comprising: a memory; a processor connected to access said memory: a directory database stored in said memory, said directory database comprising static information and does not comprise dynamically updated contact information: program instructions stored in said memory and executed by said processor, said program instructions comprising: instructions for receiving a request by a user to execute said directory search; instructions for receiving a query criteria; instructions for executing a search of a directory database in response to said user request, said search utilizing said query criteria to produce a first result comprising a null set or directory information corresponding to at least one entity; instructions for invoking a dynamic contact information service utilizing at least one of said first result and said query criteria to produce a second result comprising dynamic contact information and; instructions for coalescing said first and second results to produce a coalesced result.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system according to claim 47 , wherein said query criteria is specified by said user when requesting said directory search.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system according to claim 47 , further comprising program instructions implementing a routine that generates said query criteria.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system according to claim 47 , further comprising at least one source of information and program instructions for selecting said query criteria from said at least one source of information.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
81 words
The system according to claim 47 , further comprising: program instructions for determining whether said first result comprises said null set; program instructions for invoking said dynamic contact information service to produce said second result utilizing said query criteria if said first result comprises said null set; and program instructions for invoking said dynamic contact information service to produce said second result utilizing said at least one entity of said first result if said first result is not said null set.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
151 words
The system according to claim 47 , further comprising: program instructions for determining whether said first result comprises said null set; program instructions for invoking said dynamic contact information service to produce said second result utilizing said at least one entity of said first result if said first result is not said null set; program instructions for determining whether said query criteria is valid for submission to said dynamic contact information service if said first result comprises said null set; program instructions for invoking said dynamic contact information service to produce said second result utilizing said query criteria if said first result comprises said null set and said query criteria is valid for submission to said dynamic contact information service; and program instructions for returning no search results if said first result comprises said null set and said query criteria is not valid for submission to said dynamic contact information service.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system according to claim 47 , further comprising program instructions for causing said dynamic contact service to produce said second result at least by searching a dynamic content database for dynamically updated information.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system according to claim 47 , further comprising program instructions for causing said dynamic contact service to produce said second result at least by dynamically determining contact information in response to each search request.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system according to claim 47 , further comprising program instructions for using said coalesced result as an input into another application.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system according to claim 47 , further comprising: program instructions for specifying display preferences that describe which directory database and dynamic contact information will be displayed for each executed search; and program instructions for displaying said coalesced result based upon said display preferences.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system according to claim 47 , wherein said display preferences comprise: program instructions for specifying whether to have displayed only at least part of said dynamic contact information, only at least part of said directory information, or a combination of at least parts of both directory and dynamic contact information for each executed search.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system according to claim 47 , further comprising: program instructions for specifying sort preferences that describe how said coalesced results are to be sorted for each executed search; and program instructions for displaying said coalesced result based upon said sort preferences.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system according to claim 58 , wherein said sort preferences comprise availability; and program instructions for displaying said coalesced data comprises displaying names where a first displayed name is available earlier than a remainder of people whose names are displayed.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system according to claim 47 , further comprising: program instructions for specifying filtering preferences; and program instructions for filtering said coalesced result using said filtering preferences to produce a filtered result and displaying said filtered result.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system according to claim 60 , wherein said program instructions for filtering said coalesced result using said filtering preferences comprises program instructions for filtering said coalesced results based upon availability by a user-specified method of contact within a predetermined period of time.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system according to claim 60 , wherein said program instructions for filtering said coalesced result using said filtering preferences comprises program instructions for filtering said coalesced results based upon availability by a user-specified type of contact within a predetermined period of time.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system according to claim 60 , wherein said program instructions for filtering said coalesced result using said filtering preferences comprises program instructions for filtering said coalesced results based upon availability for an in-entity meeting within a particular period of time.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system according to claim 60 , wherein said program instructions for filtering said coalesced result using said filtering preferences comprises program instructions for filtering said coalesced results based upon availability to check at least one of an e-mail account, an instant message, a telephone call and a page within a particular period at time.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system according to claim 47 , further comprising program instructions for including within said coalesced result, an indication of an alternate contact entity for each entity whose information was returned as pan of said coalesced result.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system according to claim 47 , further comprising program instructions for including within said coalesced result, an indication of a physical location where each entity whose information was returned as part of said coalesced result can be reached during a particular period of time.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system according to claim 47 , further comprising program instructions for including for each entity whose information was returned as part of said coalesced result, an indication of a means for contact where said entity will be available during a particular period of time.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system according to claim 47 , further comprising program instructions for including for each entity whose information was returned as pan of said coalesced result, an indication of whether an identified means of being contacted is currently being utilized.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system according to claim 47 , further comprising program instructions for including for each entity whose information was returned as part of said coalesced result, an indication of a best means of contact.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US6065012A
Cited
US20020116336A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-08-21 | 2014-02-20 | 2014-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-08-21 | 2018-02-20 | 2018-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |